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The marker is a collection of three informative panels in Spanish and their respective versions in Kaqchikel.The Post Classic, the Major Period of Development of the K'iche, Kaqchikel and Tzutuhil Nations in the HighlandsThe Post-Classic period extends from the year 1000 until the conquest in 1524. In the Highlands, the Post Classic is a period of foreign influence and migration and the birth and expansion of the militarized empires of the K'iche, Kaqchikel and Tzutuhil. It is also a time of incessant, permanent war that facilitated the Spanish conquest in 1524.
- The Post-Classic period (1000-1524 A.D.)
This period is the apogee of the cities of Iximché, Chinautla and Mixco Viejo in the Central Highlands; Tajumulco, Zaculeu, Utatlán, Chuitinamit and Zacualpa in the Western Highlands and numerous cities of lesser importance in the current departments of Quiché and the Verapaces: Chalchitan, Chutinamit, Xolchun, Xolpacol, Huil, Vicaveval, Nebaj, Chipal, Cahyup, Chichén and Chijolom, among others. Researchers divide the period into two periods: the early period from 1000 to 1200-1250, and the late period, also called "proto-historic", from 1200-1250 until the arrival of the Spaniards. - The Early Period (1000 to 1200 A.D.)
The formative Post Classic sees the highpoint for the fortified cities of Mixco Viejo and Chinautla. Insecurity is reflected in the settlements protected by military defenses, which are normally surrounded by cliffs that provide a natural defense system on the heights of natural elevations.The Pipil-Nicaro groups on the slopes of the Pacific coast extend their influence over the Highlands Mam and Pokomam groups and develop new business relationships. However, their expansion is interrupted by the arrival of a "Mexicanized" Putún group (with Toltec-Cholulteca-Chichimeca influence) from the Gulf of Mexico through the highlands of Chiapas and the Usumacinta River. This group was a merchant and warrior elite that had taken Maya and Mexican customs and joined with local elites, bringing their cultural traits. They would be the origin of the K'iché, Kaqchikel and Tzutuhile elites and the development of their states.Characteristic of the period are the "Plomizas" jars which were very popular in the Maya area, as well as ceramics known as "Naranja fino" imported from the Gulf of Mexico Coast. This and other pottery is a testimony to the incessant contact and trade between the groups. - The Late Post Classic or Protohistoric period (1200-1524)This period sees the expansion of the three most powerful groups to the arrival of the Spaniards: Kaqchikeles, the K'ichés and Tzutuhiles, as well as the birth of the Kaqchikel nation. It all ends with the arrival of the Spaniards.In the mid-fourteenth century, the K'ichés controlled a vast territory of the Central Highlands that extended from the Chixoy the Montagua Rivers. Half a century later, after a period of unsuccessful revolts against the K'ichés, Gucumatz founded the city of Gumaarcaj (Utatlán). Gucumatz undertakes expansionist wars to the north and east. His successor, Quicab, makes wide, new conquests to the south and to the Pacific Coast.The expansion of the K'iché Empire stagnates around 1475 with the rebellion and separation of the Kaqchikel confederation, which before had been faithful allies. In subsequent decades K'ichés repeatedly tried in vain to subjugate the Kaqchikeles again.Caption:Ethnic groups and their capitals in the Guatemalan Highlands during the Post Classic Period. (Illustration: P. Gamez based on his Handbook)Sidebar graphic: Chronology of the K'iché Kings
Balam Quitzé · 1225-1250 · Leads the migration to the northern highlands
Cocoja · 1250-1275
Tziquin · 1275-1300 · Leads the conquest of the Poqomames to the east
Ahcan · 1300-1325
C'ocaib · 1325-1350 · Returns to the East to be named with the title of Ahpop
Conache · 1350-1375 · Founds a new capital in Ismachi
Cotujá · 1375-1400 · Extends the territory of the K'iche'
Gucumatz · 1400-1425 · Founds the city of Gumarcaaj
Quicab · 1425-1475 · Further extends the territory of the K'iche'
Vahxaqui-Caam · 1475-1500 · Iximché is founded after the revolt of the Kaqchikeles
Oxib-Queh · 1500-1524 · He is killed by the Spaniards after taking GumarcaajThe Memorial of Solola: History of the Kaqchikeles and their Capital, Iximché
The best source of knowledge of the history of the Kaqchikeles is the Memorial of Solola, also called The Annals of the Kaqchikeles. It was written in Kaqchikel in the city of Solola, in the late sixteenth century by descendants of the kings of Iximché. The first author, Hernández Arana, was the grandson of Lord Jun Ik´, of the Xahil family. He had witnessed in his childhood the arrival of the Spaniards and around 1573 began to record the traditions of their lineage. After his death in 1582, Francisco Díaz, a member of the same family, continued the collection of the important events of his people.In the seventeenth century, a copy of the original text, which probably came from previously known versions, was made. In 1855, the frenchman Brasseur de Bourbourg translated the text into French. An English version was completed by Brinton. In 1934, the Guatemalan scholar Villacorta, published the Kaqchikel version of the document and also a Spanish translation. In 1950, Adrian Recintos released a new version, which is currently used as a reference source. Unlike other indigenous texts, known as "Titles", which were written by the indigenous people to reclaim land that historically belonged to them, the Annals do not have this sole purpose: it is a story that tells the story of Kaqchikeles from the Tulán legendary migration up to the seventeenth century. The first section tells the myths of creation and migration of the ancestors, the central part contains the history of the Kaqchikel people and the third portion records - using dates from the Mayan calendar - events that begin in 1494 and end in the seventeenth century.The Annals relate the important moments in Kaqchikel history:1200-1250 - Period of the arrival of the ancestors of the K'iche and Kaqchikel dynasties. From the Gulf Coast of Mexico, these groups were probably Mayan putunes - "mexicanized" warriors which joined with the local ruling families.Around 1300 - The K'ichés emerge as the dominant group in the political landscape of the Highlands.14th century - The Kaqchikel become subjects of the K'iché nation, however they occupy a privileged place in the confederation.1470-1475 The Kaqchikel, who held court in Chiavar, are separated from the confederation. 1470-1480 The Lords Juntoh and Vukubatz found the city of Iximché. 1480-1524 The Kaqchikel nation expands its territory at the expense of minority language group neighbors. The kings of Iximché undertake military operations to control the region of the Pacific Coast, which is a source of cacao and many other riches. 1490 - First failed attempt by the K'ichés to recover Iximché from the Kaqchikeles. 1493 - The failed revolt of Tukuche in Iximché. 1510 - Emissaries of Moctezuma, the Aztec Emperor, arrive at Iximché warning of the arrival and presence of the Spaniards in the Caribbean Islands.1513 - Iximché is destroyed by fire and rebuilt.1515-1518 The Lords of Iximché overcome several attacks of the K'iché armies. 1521 - An epidemic of measles has serious consequences in the Iximché and Kaqchikel region. September 5, 1524 - The people of Iximché leave town and start their guerrilla struggle against the Spaniards.

Captions: Memorial of Solola, the document also known as the Annals of the Kaqchikel. A portion of a spear and a censer fragment from Iximché.The Arrival of the Spanish
Archaeology provides very little information about the first meeting with the Spaniards and their presence in Iximché. The story is mostly known through indigenous sources such as the Memorial of Solola (The Annals of the Kaqchikel) and by the texts of the conquerors: the letters of Pedro de Alvarado to Hernán Cortés and the latter to the King of Spain, Carlos V, and also by the accounts of Bernal Diaz del Castillo and Francisco de Remesal.From the various sources we know the following chronology of events: The Lords of Iximché knew of the arrival of the Spanish, 14 years before the first meeting with Pedro de Alvarado. On April 12, 1524, Pedro de Alvarado enters Utatlán. Two days later he is greeted peacefully by the Lords of Iximché. A few days later Pedro de Alvarado began a military action towards El Salvador, destroying the city of Izcuintepec step (Escuintla), enemy of the Kaqchikel. He then returns to Iximché on July 25 and in the same year founded the first Spanish capital in Guatemala. On July 27 he wrote to Hernán Cortés, informing him of the founding of the Spanish "villa" of Iximché. On September 5, 4 Camey in the Kaqchikel calendar, the people revolted against the excessive demands of the Spaniards in construction, production of gold and the cruelty of Alvarado. They then secretly abandoned the city and flew to the mountains where they found shelter and began to fight against the Spanish power. On February 7, 1526, another 4 Camey, a new fire partially destroyed Iximché, generated this time by about 60 Kaqchikel soldiers to hide their escape from the city in order not to accompany Alvarado on his campaign to Honduras. On November 22, 1527, the Spanish capital was moved to Almolonga. In January of 1528, the Kaqchikeles started paying tribute to the Spaniards. On May 26, 1540, feeling that indigenous rebellions were eminent, Pedro de Alvarado executes one of the Kaqchikel lords, Cahi Imox.Captions: The Battle of Quauhtemalla (Guatemala) between Spaniards and Tlaxcalans against Kaqchiqueles. The Tlaxcala Canvas, 16th century Portrait of Pedro de Alvarado Sidebars: Pedro de Alvarado wrote to Hernán Cortés: "To my lord, I left the city of Uclatán (Utatlán) and came in two days to this city of Guatemala where I was very well received from their lords. It could not be more like our own parents' houses. We were provided with everything necessary to us. There was nothing that we lacked." From Remesal's 'Account of the founding of the Spanish villa'On July 25, in which the Church celebrates the feast day of Saint James (Santiago), patron saint of Spain, all of the Spanish formed as an army went to hear Mass, to the sound of drums and fifes, and the noise of arquebuses and muskets ... Concluded this act, together all invoked the Apostle Santiago, and gave his name to the town that had been founded. To the same saint they dedicated the church that was going to be built. And all the Spaniards celebrated the foundation of the new town with great festivals and military rejoicings which lasted three days."

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